The raising of Lazarus by Vincent van Gogh
The Death of Lazarus
Bible readings: Romans 8.6-11 and John 11.1–45
Gospel Reading [NRSVA]
The Death of Lazarus
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it, he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’ Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
Then after this he said to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judea again.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?’ Jesus answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.’ After saying this, he told them, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.’ Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.’ Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow-disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’
Jesus the Resurrection and the Life
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.’
Jesus Weeps
When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, ‘The Teacher is here and is calling for you.’ And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’
Jesus Raises Lazarus to Life
Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ‘Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead for four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upwards and said, ‘Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’
The Plot to Kill Jesus
Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.
Updates… by Wed 25th March noon. Send to Keno.
CLUSTER INFORMATION & EVENTS
Celtic Morning Prayer
Each weekday morning on zoom 8:00am – 8:30am. Please email Keno for zoom details.
Psalm Group
Every Thursday at 11:15am we read and meditate on a Psalm. Come and join us at St Mary’s. Josie
Meditation Group
Every Friday a Meditation group meets at St Mary’s church at 10:30am. This is a welcoming and supportive space for everyone in the community. Vicky
Little Lights Group
for children aged 0-3 years and their carers at St Mary’s church on Thursdays 1.30-2.30. Stories, music, play and refreshments. Please spread the word to anyone you know who would like to bring young children along. Jenny
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross on Wednesdays at 11.30am at St Peter’s church. Lynda and Diane
Julian Prayer Group
The Julian Group will meet online via zoom at 6:00pm on Sunday. If you would like to attend, please email Mel at mlevesconte@hotmail.co.uk for zoom details.
Prayer Requests
If you are concerned about someone and would like their name included in the Prayer Request Group’s weekly prayer list, please do email Mel by 7:00pm on Tuesday evenings.
Sustainable Sunday
at St Mary’s on Sunday 29th March, 2:30-4:30pm. Free activities, clothes, toys, book swap.
Concerts Diary
Friday 27th March at 7.30pm – Concert Bach’s St Matthew Passion – Helston Chamber Choir with Penzance Choral Society
Sunday 29th March at 7pm – Concert Mousehole Male Voice Choir and Nankersey Male Choir
Sunday 29th March. 11am. Paul church. Palm Sunday Eucharist.
Wednesday 1st April. 9am. Paul church. Eucharist.
Wednesday 1st April. 11am. St Peter’s church. Eucharist.
Thursday 2nd April. 6pm. St Peter’s church. Maundy Thursday Passover service. Joint Cluster service.
Thursday 2nd April. 7pm. Paul church. Maundy Thursday.
Friday 3rd April. 10.30am. Paul church. Good Friday.
Friday 3rd April. 11am. St John’s church. Good Friday Service.
Friday 3rd April. 12.45pm. St Mary’s. Good Friday Service.
Friday 3rd April. 2pm. St Peter’s church. Good Friday Service.
Sunday 5th April. 7am. Paul. Easter Sunday Sunrise Service.
Sunday 5th April. 9.30am. St Peter’s church. Easter Communion.
Sunday 5th April. 11am St Mary’s. Easter Day Communion.
Sunday 5th April. 11am. Paul church. Easter Sunday Eucharist.
Our current plans for holiday club are:
Tuesday 7th – Gardeners House
Thursday 9th – Paradise Park
Thursday 16th – Godolphin House
Friday 17th – Lappa Valley
We will have 20-25 children per day, 5 members of staff and 4 junior leaders. If you would like to sponsor a child or make a donation towards Easter holiday club please contact Molly.
Many of you will donate to food banks – for the holiday club period. Might you be able to donate food to holiday club instead? We are looking for the following items for picnic lunches. (food to be in date for 17th April please): bread rolls (packs of 12 rolls) 8 packs; butter – 3 tubs; ham – 3 packs of 30 slices; cheese – 3 packs of grated cheese; crisps – 3 packs of 30 packets; fruit – apples, oranges, bananas; yogurts – Frubes 10 packs; cakes – enough for 25 people per day! If you are able to help with any of these items, please let Molly or Jenny know at molly.blewett@penleecluster.org.uk or jenny.orpwood@penleecluster.org.uk. Many thanks for your continued support for local children- it is really appreciated. – Molly & Jenny, Family Workers
St John’s Church and Playzone
will remain closed until further notice. The regular Friday Morning service of Holy Communion usually held at St John’s church, has a new temporary home! So same time (11am) but different place. Same hospitality!! Please ring Revd Derath Durkin on 07962 168440 or email her for details derathdurkin@penleecluster.org.uk.
We have recently engaged a number of external experts and specialist to review the fire and safety regulations for the many uses that St Johns has become known for over the years with the hope that we would soon be open to the whole community.
We have now completed that work and whilst we can re-open St Johns to our congregation and for those that wish to worship, use St Johns as a quiet space or just visit; there is remedial work needed, alongside a substantial level of investment to bring the church environment to a point where it could be open for other uses. We will continue to keep you all informed.
Wellbeing Vending Machine at St Mary’s
Participants aged 2 to 102 shared stories and ideas that inspired “Snacks for the Soul” for the world’s first wellbeing vending machine—playful, practical items such as “Thankies” gratitude hankies, a kazoo to encourage calming breath and humming, resilience-themed mini books and zines, “Zesties” lemon stress balls that also spark active games, and “Wonder Specs” to help people see the world with fresh eyes. Get your free token !
Contact Sally Crabtree at sally@artconnexion.co.uk.
Lent Lunches
CTiPA weekly lunches will start at 12 noon. Money raised will go towards Christian Aid and CAFOD projects.
Sat 21st Mar – Roman Catholic Church, Penzance
Sat 28th Mar – St Thomas’ Church, Heamoor
On Good Friday 3rd April CTiPA Walk of Christian Witness. All are welcome to join us. We gather at 11:30am at the bus station where the procession will “Follow the Cross” up Market Jew Street followed by a short service and refreshments at the Salvation Army Hall, Queen Street.
Deanery Synod Standing Committee/DIT
Please consider prayerfully, whether you are able to offer service to the wider deanery by volunteering your experience and/or knowledge/expertise and serving on either the Deanery Synod Standing Committee or one of the designated ‘arms’ of the new Deanery Implementation Team. Ask info from churchwardens. Deadline noon on Tuesday 31st March 2026.
The three specific areas that we are asking people to contribute their experience and knowledge towards are:
- Intergenerational church growth
- Better use of resources
- Improved patterns for ministry
Volunteer with NightChurch Penzance
NightChurch is a welcoming space open to everyone, with Jesus’ promise of ‘life in all its fullness’ at its heart, seeking the common good of the whole community, enabling and guiding people into flourishing and fulfilment.
What is NightChurch?
NightChurch is a community of hope and discovery where people can come as they are. Simply ‘being with’ through the practices of welcome and hospitality, table fellowship, celebrating joy and creativity.
Volunteer Roles:
Welcoming guests and helping create a friendly atmosphere
Offering drinks and helping serve a meal
Sitting with people and listening to their stories
Supporting activities such as reflection, art, or prayer
Being part of a supportive volunteer team
We Are Looking For People Who Are:
Warm, compassionate and non-judgmental
Good listeners who can hold space for others
Comfortable engaging with people from diverse background
Experience with pastoral care, community work, or supporting vulnerable people is helpful but not essential. Training will be provided, including safeguarding awareness.
Why Volunteer?
Volunteering with NightChurch is a meaningful opportunity to:
Support people who may be experiencing difficult circumstances
Be part of a compassionate community
Be a chain reaction of grace
Interested in Joining Us?
If you would like to learn more or express interest in volunteering, please get in contact: nightchurchpenzance@gmail.com
Sessions are every Monday and Wednesday 6pm to 9pm at St Mary’s Church, Chapel Street. Penzance.
Together we can help create a place where everyone is welcomed, valued, and reminded that they are not alone.
